Smart bike “reads” road, measures performance

The Intellibike was tested in a wind tunnel to make it as aerodynamic as possible Keystone

Cyclists who use the "Intellibike" designed for the World Solar Challenge will find their performance measured throughout the 3,025-kilometre journey.

The bicycle’s sensors measure the rate at which the cyclist pedals, heart rate, and ensure an ideal combination of muscular strength and electrical propulsion.

The bike must carry its Swiss riders on a trip that is roughly the distance from Madrid to Moscow, across the sun-baked deserts of Australia.

Developers at the Biel School of Engineering are confident that it is up to job: “Every component of the Intellibike is the very best in its category,” says Professor Henry Schwarzenbach, one of the team responsible for developing the bicycle.

The frame is a mix of ultra-light components, specially designed to provide maximum stability. The entire bike weighs just 25 kilogrammes.

Motor in wheel

Its heaviest individual component is the eight-kilogramme electric motor, installed in the hub of the lenticular – lens shaped — rear wheel and capable of generating 775 watts.

It also carries a six-kilogramme lithium-polymer battery, which has six times the capacity of a conventional one. Power usage is kept to a minimum by the bike’s aerodynamics, which were perfected in a wind tunnel.

The bike, the product of HTA engineers, is designed to “read” the ups and downs of the road and the physical condition of the cyclist, and adjust its output accordingly. On downhill stretches, the battery will recharge.

The cyclist, whose natural strength is effectively augmented by a factor of four, has the intoxicating experience of riding at highs of between 70-80 k.p.h.

During the race, the team objective is to maintain a cruising speed of between 62 and 66 k.p.h. At this rate, the range of the bike would be around 100 km, at which point the cyclist would have to stop briefly to change the battery. The spent battery can then be recharged from the solar panels mounted on the support vehicle behind.

The squad

One could easily mistake the Spirit of Bike squad for a Formula One team: 30 or so members following the two competing bicycles, overalls emblazoned with sponsors’ advertising, wearing headsets and small microphones to stay constantly in touch with the riders.

The project was launched in 1999. During 2001, a group of around 20 engineers and technicians saw it through to completion, building five bikes in the space of about 150 days.

“Leaving aside the cost of research and development and considering only the materials, each Intellibike is worth approximately SFr30,000,” points out Henry Schwarzenbach. In 2001, the Spirit of Bike budget, supported by a whole series of sponsors, was in excess of one million Swiss francs.

“Given such high costs, marketing the Intellibike in its present form is just not feasible,” observes August Pfluger, the project co-ordinator. “We are, however, in touch with some of the major e-bike manufacturers to discuss how some of our innovations can be incorporated into future production models for general use.”

Pedalling all the way

So things are looking good for the Australian challenge, though, according to August Pfluger, “we cannot expect to repeat our 1990 victory this year”.

The Biel competitors are the only team entering a two-wheeler prototype. The other 37 competitors have continued to develop solar-powered automobiles: more aerodynamic, more powerful, and not dependent on the muscle-power of their pilots.

But, said Schwarzenbach “they are more expensive and less promising in terms of practical future developments.”

He added: “Our aim is to complete the course in six days. That would be a real victory for us.”

Commenting on the disconcerting absence of bends along the Stuart Highway, a sticker carries the following humorous instruction: “After the start, turn right at the first crossroads and continue straight on southwards… for 3,000 km”. Pedalling all the way.

by Marzio Pescia